Colonoscopy

Advanced Gastroenterology

Gastroenterologists located in Union City, TN

Colon cancer is the third most common type of cancer in men and women, but it's preventable and treatable when you have a colonoscopy. Whether you need a colonoscopy to screen for cancer or to diagnose intestinal problems, you can count on the expertise of Dr. Kofi Nuako at Advanced Gastroenterology. If you have questions about your intestinal health or cancer screening, call the office in Union City, Tennessee, or use online booking to schedule an appointment.

Colonoscopy Q & A

What is a colonoscopy?

A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows Dr. Nuako to examine the lining of your large intestine, screening for colon cancer and determining the cause of symptoms like abdominal pain and chronic diarrhea or constipation.

As the doctor gently threads a colonoscope -- a long, thin, flexible tube containing a camera -- through your rectum and colon, he can find polyps, bleeding, and areas of inflammation or abnormal tissues. Specialized instruments can be inserted through the colonoscope and used to perform procedures, such as:

Removing polyps

Taking tissue for a biopsy

Controlling bleeding

Opening a blockage

Inserting a stent

What should you know about colon cancer?

Polyps that develop in the large intestine are often benign, but it’s critical to remove them because colon cancer begins in polyps. Most women and men should have a colonoscopy at the age of 50, although Dr. Nuako may recommend an earlier screening if you have risk factors for colon cancer, such as:

Inflammatory bowel disease

Family history of colorectal cancer or polyps

Excess weight

Diet low in fiber

Cigarette use

How do you prepare for a colonoscopy?

For your colonoscopy to be successful, Dr. Nuako must be able to see the walls of your intestine. That means you need to cleanse your bowels before your colonoscopy appointment. Two bowel preparation procedures used at Advanced Gastroenterology include:

MiraLAX® Prep Kit

This prep kit contains MiraLAX, Dulcolax®, and a bottle of magnesium citrate, which are all laxatives.

Two days ahead of your procedure, you avoid seeds, nuts, uncooked vegetables, lettuce, and red liquids. The day before your procedure, you only drink clear liquids and take Dulcolax and MiraLAX. Then four hours before your scheduled colonoscopy, you take the magnesium citrate.

It’s essential to take the laxatives according to the schedule in your instructions.

Hydrotherapy prep

This colon cleanse is similar to the MiraLAX prep, but you take Dulcolax and begin drinking plenty of clear fluids two days before your colonoscopy. Then one day before your appointment, you stay on a clear liquid diet and take more Dulcolax and MiraLAX at the times indicated in your instructions.

You only need to take magnesium citrate if you don’t have a bowel movement by early evening on the day before your procedure.

If you need to schedule a colonoscopy or have any questions, call Advanced Gastroenterology or book an appointment online.